Translation guide
Describes physical shaking, often from cold, fear, excitement, or weakness. Japanese has several words that distinguish the cause and type of trembling.
To describe a person or body part shaking involuntarily due to cold, fear, or nervousness.
General verb for trembling or shivering, often from cold, fear, or emotion. Can be used for the whole body or specific parts.
My body trembled from the cold.
Her voice was trembling with fear.
Noun form of 震える, meaning a tremble or shiver.
The trembling in my hands won't stop.
To tremble violently, often from extreme fear or cold. More intense than 震える.
He trembled violently with fear.
To express a trembling feeling caused by excitement, joy, or anticipation.
To describe trembling caused by physical weakness, illness, or old age.
To describe inanimate things shaking or vibrating, like the ground, buildings, or leaves.
General verb for shaking, swaying, or trembling of objects. Not typically used for human trembling.
The building trembled in the earthquake.
The leaves are trembling in the wind.
Technical term for vibration or tremor, often used for machinery or earthquakes.
The machine is trembling/vibrating.
震える (furueru) is for living things trembling from cold, fear, or emotion. 揺れる (yureru) is for objects shaking or swaying. Using 震える for objects sounds poetic or personifying.
Her hands are trembling.
The train is shaking.
震える implies involuntary trembling. For intentional shaking (like shaking a bottle), use 振る (furu).
I'm trembling with excitement before the match.
老人の声はわなないていた。
The old man's voice was trembling.